December 20, 2011
Roundup: Our Top Picks For Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations In Philadelphia

The Please Touch Museum hosts an annual New Year's Eve celebration for the younger set at noon, and is just one of several family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations taking place in Philadelphia. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
Philadelphia is the perfect destination for families searching for kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Revelers of all ages can ring in 2012 with a “Countdown to Noon” at the Please Touch Museum or by watching the “Square” drop at Franklin Square before the explosive fireworks show at Penn’s Landing at 6 p.m.
Check out more of our top family-friendly celebrations, below:
• SugarHouse Casino presents Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun: Philadelphia is hosting not one, but two gorgeous New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Penn’s Landing to ring in the New Year. The first show begins at 6 p.m., which is a perfect time for families with children. The second fireworks show takes place at 12 midnight.
• Please Touch Museum: The Please Touch Museum rings in 2012 early with Countdown to Noon on December 31. The museum opens at 9:00 a.m. and holds “Noon Year” party activities with music and confetti. Countdowns take place at 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.
• Blue Cross RiverRink: Winter sports enthusiasts celebrate at the Blue Cross RiverRink’s New Year’s Eve Party on Ice, a family-friendly affair that boasts one of the best views of the city’s breathtaking fireworks displays over the Delaware River. Skaters can catch one of two sparkling shows during the early (5:00-7:00 p.m.) and late (11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) parties. Tickets are $30 for skaters and $20 for spectators.
• Independence Seaport Museum: A maritime New Year’s Eve celebration is on deck at the Independence Seaport Museum along the Philadelphia waterfront. Grab a complimentary party hat and noisemaker before heading outside to the second-floor terrace to watch the fireworks spectacular over the Delaware River at 6 p.m.
• Franklin Square: Franklin Square is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a free, kid-friendly dropping “square” in lieu of the famous ball. Take a final spin on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel for 2011, putt through the Liberty Bell at Philly Mini Golf, enjoy SquareBurger’s hearty winter menu and watch Penn’s Landing’s Fireworks early show at 6 p.m., visible from Franklin Square! The fun begins at 5 p.m.
• Battleship New Jersey: Over on the other side of the river, revelers test their sea legs on the Battleship New Jersey, docked on the Camden waterfront. Enjoy music, food and bar concessions, as well as a unique view of both fireworks shows at 6 p.m. and midnight.
• Longwood Gardens: Families celebrate 2012 in botanical splendor at Longwood Gardens with kid-pleasing festivities including a party hat craft station in the ballroom, magicians, jugglers and live music in the Conservatory all culminating with a fireworks show at 6 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia: The Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing kicking off the New Year with not one, but two celebrations. Enjoy a delicious New Year’s Eve Family Buffet starting at 4 p.m. The kids have their own buffet complete with sliders and chicken nuggets, while the adults can dine on herb roasted beef tenderloin and pan-seared salmon. Save room for the Desert Explosion at 5:30 p.m. before the 6 p.m. fireworks show at Penn’s Landing.












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